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From culture-filled cities to stunning seashore cities, these are a number of the greatest locations to go to in Costa Brava.
Tucked away on the northeastern coast of Spain, the Costa Brava stretches from Blanes (about 70km east of Barcelona) to the French border.
The identify Costa Brava interprets to ‘rough coast’ or ‘wild coast’. It’s a becoming description: this 75km part of Spain’s shoreline is especially rugged and rocky. It’s the right setting for an adventurous journey, maybe tenting close to a good looking Spanish seashore or road-tripping alongside the coast seeking hidden gems. But that doesn’t imply there’s not loads of tradition, wellness, and stress-free seashores to take pleasure in, too.
If you’re after a extra outdoorsy kind of vacation, Costa Brava is the area for you: you’ll discover bike trails galore, seashores to swimsuit each style, thrilling watersports, and the huge community of coastal footpaths often called Camins de Ronda.
Costa Brava can also be the most effective areas for tenting in Spain, with dozens of nice campsites to select from. Yelloh! Village has a giant presence within the area, with a number of campsites recognized for his or her implausible amenities and pleasant vibes.
Fans of tradition gained’t be disenchanted, both. From artwork galleries and museums to historical archaeology and unbeatable gastronomy, there’s a lot extra to Costa Brava than its stunning seashores.
Below, I’ve rounded up a number of the greatest locations and most stunning cities to go to in Costa Brava. I’ve additionally really helpful a couple of of the most effective Yelloh! Village campsites alongside the shoreline, that will help you plan the place to remain.
Time to plan your excellent vacation in Costa Brava…
NB – this publish was written in collaboration with Yelloh! Village. All phrases and opinions are my very own and primarily based on previous journeys to the area.
Best Places to Visit in Costa Brava: Map
11 Best Places to Visit in Costa Brava
Blanes & Lloret de Mar
Blanes marks the official begin of the Costa Brava, so it’s an amazing place to start out. It’s additionally some of the widespread seaside resorts within the area, together with the neighbouring city of Lloret de Mar.
Both cities have stunning seashores, loads of lodging choices to swimsuit all budgets, and many points of interest. Blanes is a former fishing village, and nonetheless has an energetic fishing port, in addition to a captivating previous city to discover. Lloret de Mar is thought for its nightlife and has a repute as a “package holiday” vacation spot, whereas Blanes is a tad extra stress-free.
The stretch of coast between the 2 cities is wonderful. Don’t miss the Jardins de Santa Clotilde, a tranquil, clifftop backyard overlooking the dreamy seashore of Platja de sa Boadella.
Girona
Although not really on the coast, Girona is the biggest metropolis within the space and makes a superb day journey for anybody staying on the Costa Brava. It’s additionally extremely fairly and fairly underrated: don’t miss it!
Explore the colorful Jewish Quarter, the Twelfth-century Medieval City Walls, and stroll throughout Girona’s putting crimson bridge – which was designed by Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame!).
Girona was additionally a key filming location for the HBO collection Game of Thrones. Fans can take a strolling tour to find some recognisable sights! Try to go to through the springtime Temps de Flors Festival, when the historic metropolis centre is roofed in vibrant floral shows.
Sant Feliu de Guixols
I visited Sant Feliu de Guixols on one in all my first journeys to Costa Brava and immediately fell in love!
This is a good setting for outdoorsy varieties. The coast stroll from Sant Feliu de Guíxols to S’Agaró is among the hottest walks on the Costa Brava. Or, in the event you’re feeling braver, there’s additionally the Via Ferrata Cala del Molí. A white-knuckle claiming route on the cliffs above the ocean, it’s the one by way of ferrata in Europe that’s by the ocean.
There are two Yelloh! Village campsites close to Sant Feliu de Guixols. Sant Pol is a moderately-sized campsite with two swimming pools and direct entry to the seashore. Mas Sant Josep is simply 4 miles inland, however boasts an enormous aquatic park that includes whirlpool baths, waterslides, and a waterfall!
Begur & Fornells
One of my private favourites is the gorgeous city of Begur – together with the close by seashore village of Fornells. These can each be visited collectively as a beautiful Costa Brava day journey, or you can keep in Fornells and stroll as much as Begur from the seaside.
With its vibrant historic quarter and hilltop Fifteenth-century fort, Begur is among the most stunning locations to go to in all of Costa Brava. It’s very fashionable with locals from Barcelona as a weekend getaway, however it’s not often too busy. When I visited in May I had the place to myself!
Don’t miss the panoramic views from the fort. Looking out throughout a tumble of terracotta roofs you possibly can glimpse Emporda’s mountainous inside, whereas alongside the coast on clear days you’ll see so far as the Pyrenees.
Just ten minutes drive away, Fornells is a quiet little seaside village. This is the last word escape, with rocky coves missed by dense pine timber.
Tossa de Mar
Just alongside the coast from Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar is a reasonably, historic and conventional coastal city. The city was constructed round its Medieval fort, which sits on a small headland, offering a romantic backdrop for Tossa’s stunning, golden sandy seashores.
Wander by means of the charming previous city, go to the fort ruins, or loosen up and unwind on the beautiful Platja Gran seashore. Need to get a bit extra energetic? Hike as much as the point of view at Balcón al Mar for epic sea views, or stroll the coast path to the tiny, hidden coves of Cala Bona and Cala Pola.
Calonge
Set barely again from the coast, the medieval hilltop city of Calonge marks the beginning of the DO Empordà Wine Route – so it is a should for wine lovers! Though a reasonably small wine-growing area, Emporda is thought for producing unimaginable wines at a extremely good worth.
Calonge is surrounded by some prime vineyards. I notably love Clos d’Agon, whose sloping vineyards have attractive sea views, as I found once I went wine tasting close to Calonge.
In the city itself, you possibly can discover the Eleventh-century fort or go to the Roman village of Castel Barri. And if it is advisable to cool off in spite of everything that wine and historical past, the seaside resort cities of Sant Antoni de Calonge and Palamos are simply a few miles away.
Cap de Creus National Park
Near the north of the Costa Brava, the beautiful Cap de Creus National Park is among the most stunning locations to go to.
It’s a rocky, mountainous peninsula lined with forest and windswept gorse. Perfect for climbing! There are loads of hidden rocky coves and almost-secret seashores to find for many who need to get away from all of it.
Camping goes hand in hand with all that attractive nature. Luckily, there’s one other implausible Yelloh! Village campsite simply down the highway. Camping Sant Miquel is true on the coast in Colera, a stones’ throw from the nationwide park. So it’s the right selection for nature lovers!
Figueres
Heading inland, Figueres is one other fab day journey from the Costa Brava. The capital of the Empordà area, this small, picturesque metropolis has deep Catalan roots.
Figueres was the house of the well-known surrealist painter Salvador Dalí. Today, it’s house to the Dalí Theatre-Museum – a weird attraction that’s half artwork gallery, half expertise.
That’s the primary motive vacationers go to Figueres, however the city additionally boasts wonderful gastronomy and a number of other fascinating monuments. Don’t miss the medieval partitions and the fort of Sant Ferran once you go to!
Pals
Pals is effectively often called some of the stunning cities in Costa Brava. This charming medieval city sits perched on a hilltop within the countryside of the Baix Empordá area.
Wander by means of the picturesque medieval quarter; a maze of slender, cobbled streets and honey-coloured stone buildings. Don’t miss the round Romanesque tower Torre de las Horas (Tower of the Hours).
Gulf of Roses
If you’re searching for sheltered seashores, the Gulf of Roses is the right setting! This extensive bay close to the northeastern finish of the Costa Brava is certainly the most effective locations to go to for beach-lovers!
At the furthest finish, the gorgeous city of Roses has wonderful white sand seashores and a wealthy historic heritage. The spotlight is the Ciutadella de Roses; the ruins of a pentagonal-shaped army fortress. It was constructed through the reign of King Carlos I, within the seventeenth century – however the sight has been occupied because the third century BC.
Nearby Empuriabrava is a extra luxurious resort, recognized for its massive yacht marina. Take a ship tour of the river to catch a glimpse of a number of the city’s mansions!
L’Escala and Empúries
At the southwestern finish of the Gulf of Roses, the small coastal city of L’Escala additionally has some vital historical past to find. The seaside archaeological web site of Empúries, simply outdoors of city, was an historical Greek (and later Roman) buying and selling port. Today, it’s an absolute must-visit!
L’Escala itself is a small fishing city recognized for its attractive sandy seashores and close by Montgrí nature reserve. Surrounding the city are bike trails, rocky coves, and a reasonably marina.
Nature lovers can keep on the implausible Punta Milà Yelloh! Village campsite on the outskirts of L’Escala. It’s set throughout the Montgrí nature reserve, surrounded by pine timber. This peaceable campsite has direct entry to the sandy seashores at Cala Montgó.
More Great Places to Visit in Costa Brava!
If you continue to want some suggestions to fill your time, listed below are a couple of extra stunning locations so as to add to your Costa Brava itinerary…
- Parc Natural dels Aiguamolls de l’Empordà – nationwide park
- Cadaqués – fishing village
- Sant Pere de Rodes – Benedictine monastery
- Girona Via Verde (Greenway) – bike path on a disused railway line
- La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone – nationwide park recognized for its extinct volcanic cones.
- Castellfollit de la Roca – clifftop city within the volcanic zone.
- Girona Pyrenees – mountainous area inland.
- Calella de Palafrugell – fairly seaside city. Walk the coast path from right here to Begur.
- Peratallada – fortified medieval city just like Pals, additionally within the Baix Empordá.
Are there any extra cities, villages or different stunning locations to go to in Costa Brava that I’ve missed? Scroll down to depart me a remark!